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Darrian Douglas
Bria Skonberg: Indigo
by Jack Bowers
Jazz triple-threat Bria Skonberg is back, singing, scatting and playing eloquent trumpet on Indigo, the Canadian-born artist's eighth recording as leader of her own group (one of which, Bria, earned Canada's JUNO Award in 2017 for best Vocal Jazz Album of the Year). In Skonberg's ongoing back-and-forth between voice and trumpet, voice seems to have gained the upper hand here, as she sings on every one of the album's nine numbers (including one of her own) and plays ...
Continue ReadingBria Skonberg: Brass
by Jack Bowers
Canadian-born and New York-based trumpeter, vocalist and composer Bria Skonberg focuses almost exclusively on the horn on her seventh recording, the aptly named Brass. Even though Skonberg may be a splendid singer, she plays trumpet so extremely well it's a pretty sure bet that no one but the most diehard lovers of vocal jazz may miss her voice, heard here only on the album's last number, Cole Porter's “You'd Be So Nice to Come Home To." Skonberg's solos ...
Continue ReadingThembi Dunjana: God Bless iKapa. God Bless Mzantsi.
by Dan Bilawsky
In January of 2024, Ropeadope announced a partnership and co-directed initiative with City of Gold Arts dubbed AfricArise--a new imprint intent on promoting music from the titular continent, with a specific focus on South African artists. Showcasing musicians at once rooted in their heritage and boldly branching out into today's knowns and unknowns, the label quickly established its vision. April saw its inaugural releases, with two singular saxophonist-led albums--Steve Dyer's Enhlizweni: song stories from my heartland (AfricArise, 2024) and McCoy ...
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Recordings: As Leader | As Sideperson
Confirmation
From: 8.5By Darrian Douglas
Confirmation
From: 8.5By Darrian Douglas
